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The nation’s newest automaker will open its first showroom next week, Vietnam’s VinFast planning to have 30 company-operated locations operating in California before the end of this year.
The startup is developing a fleet of all-electric vehicles, two of which are initially set to go on sale in the largest U.S. market for battery cars. Eventually, VinFast officials have said, they plan to expand that line-up as they also stretch out into other parts of the U.S. market.
VinFast hopes to gain ground in the expanding EV segment by undercutting key competitors on price while also using a novel approach that will have customers lease their battery packs. The automaker promises to repair or replace packs that either fall or experience a significant drop in range.
California, here they come
Initially, VinFast will open six stores July 14, focusing on the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco regions that are the largest U.S. markets for battery-electric vehicles. The initial showrooms will be based in Berkeley, Commerce, Corte Madera, San Diego, San Mateo and Santa Monica.
Demand for all-electric vehicles has been running at about 15% of total new car sales in the Golden State this year, according to the California New Car Dealers Association. That’s roughly triple the U.S. figure — though overall demand has grown from a national average of barely 1% as recently as 2019. Industry analysts have forecast BEV sales could account for as much as 20% of the U.S. total by 2025.
VinFast was formed in 2017 as a subsidiary of the Vingroup, one of the largest conglomerates in Vietnam. It was founded by entrepreneur Pham Nhat Vuong, who also owns a network of malls, spas, resorts, hospitals, schools and other businesses.
The automotive operation debuted its first product, a modified version of the BMW X5, in 2019. But it announced a major shift in direction during a L.A. Auto Show news conference last November. It is abandoning internal combustion engine technology and will migrate to pure electric propulsion. Two models geared for the U.S. were introduced during the show, with VinFast unveiling three more during the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2022.
The first two targeted for American buyers are the VF-9, a Hyundai Palisade-sized SUV, and the slightly smaller VF-8. The original plan called for deliveries to begin late this year, though VinFast officials have signaled they may push back into 2023. A third model, the smaller and sportier VF-7, is also expected to reach the States in 2023.
“We are a young company but we have big ambitions,” Pham said during an April meeting with reporters and investors at VinFast headquarters in Haiphong, a two-hour drive from the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.
To back those ambitions, VinFast has announced plans to set up an assembly complex in North Carolina. It will start with a $2 billion assembly plant expected to create as many as 7,500 local jobs. It’s set to begin operations in 2024. Longer term, the budget is set to climb to $6.5 billion and will cover not only production of the VF 8 and VF 9 SUVs, but electric buses, as well as battery cells and packs
Still more BEVs to follow
Two more downsized BEVs are also planned for the U.S. market, though VinFast does not intend to bring its smallest BEV to the States. It began deliveries of that model, the VF e34, late last year.
The VF 9 is being pitched as a near-luxury vehicle and will start at $55,500, while the VF 8 will carry a base price of $40,700. Those figures exclude both delivery fees and the battery lease.
The first-of-its-kind move is meant to reassure customers who might worry about the reliability and durability of lithium-ion battery technology, said Le Thi Thu Thuy, vice chairman of the Vingroup and CEO of VinFast. Customers will have their packs replaced if they develop problems that could include a more than marginal decline in range.
Battery lease options
There will be two leasing options, a basic plan at $35 a month for the VF 8, $44 for the VF 9. Motorists will get up to 310 miles of free use each month. Beyond that they’ll pay an additional 11 cents per mile for the VF 8, 15 cents with the VF 9. The alternate, all-you-can-eat plan will run $110 a month for the VF 8 and $160 for the VF 9.
The leases initially run for three years. After that, motorists will have a choice of either buying the packs or continuing to lease them. Eventually, VinFast plans to offer buyers the choice of leasing or buying the battery pack.
A “dogfight” ahead
VinFast is one of numerous startups hoping to cash in on the shift to battery-electric vehicles. But while a handful have gotten into production, a number of others are struggling — or have already called it quits. With mainstream manufacturers now committing billions to the EV segment, “It’s going to be a dogfight,” warned Joe Phillippi, senior analyst with AutoTrends Consulting.
For his part, Pham acknowledged the challenges during his April news conference.
“I believe we can do it,” he said, although acknowledging there “is no easy or fast way” to success in the U.S. market.
VinFast also plans to enter the European market, where EV demand is growing at a more rapid rate than in the U.S.


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Canon Camera Rumor
Cameras 2019 - Canon Camera Rumor, Canonwatch - official site, Another weird rumor to report. it’s suggested canon might use the new sony imx571 image sensor in an upcoming aps-c camera system. no hints if it will be a milc or a dslr. the sony imx571 sensor is back-illuminated, has a resolution of 26mp and does 16 frame per second.. Canon camera rumors, Tested on the 30.3mp canon eos r (amazon, b&h, adorama), the new canon rf 50mm f/1.2l usm lens is very fun to use, the results are equally fun to view and this lens alone is a great reason to buy an rf mount camera.. Camera rumors – dslrs, lenses to be announced in 2018, Camera rumors – dslrs, lenses to be announced in 2018, 2019 last update: november 12th, 2018 this is a page for all upcoming rumored new cameras, dslrs, lenses, and more..
Canon Camera Rumor - new canon mirrorless camera with 4k video? — canon rumors 2018
canon mirrorless camera http: amzn.to 2zqfyt9 recommeded 4k cameras right now ! 4k upto 60p panasonic gh5 http: amzn.to 2hwaqv6 ( us ) 4k upto 30p sony a7r. canon's mirrorless camera leaks?! panasonic and fuji rumors photo news fix this fix is brought to you by the froknoewsphoto back to school 48% off sale.
Canon mirrorless rumors « new camera, According to latest rumors canon is working on three different sensors for upcoming full frame mirror-less camera. the three different variants include 24mp, 28mp and 36mp of dpaf sensors.. Canon cameras coming in photokina 2018 « new camera, Canon 7d mark ii is overdue for an update and the canon 7d mark iii announcement is expected at the end of 2018 sometime in 2019. based on latest rumors and the strategy followed by canon for the year of 2018. it’s look like canon 7d iii isn’t coming anytime soon..

domain: news


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Sirius XM (NASDAQ: SIRI), a leading provider of satellite radio, is scheduled to announce its fiscal fourth-quarter results on Tuesday, February 2. We expect Sirius XM to beat the revenue and earnings expectations, driven by a boost in self-pay subscribers, which grew by 909,000 (3% year-over-year) to a record high of around 30.9 million people in fiscal 2020. This was, in part, steered by the acquisition of a minority stake in open audio platform SoundCloud, a leading podcast management platform Simplecast, and podcasting behemoth Stitcher in 2020. The expectation is that the new podcasting trend will boost the company’s current revenue streams and possibly add new ones. The satellite-radio purveyor’s financial reports were decent enough, showing stability on both the top and bottom lines throughout 2020. And, we expect this trend to continue into Q4 as well. The availability of a Covid vaccine, contract extensions with big partners like General Motors and BMW, and a five-year extension with the iconic morning show host Howard Stern will likely beef up the company’s growth prospects going forward.
Our forecast indicates that Sirius XM’s valuation is over $7 per share, which is above the current market price of around $6. Look at our interactive dashboard analysis on Sirius XM Pre-Earnings: What To Expect in Q4? for more details.
(1) Revenues expected to be slightly above the consensus estimates
Trefis estimates Sirius XM’s Q4 2020 revenues to be around $2.10 Bil, marginally ahead of the consensus estimate of $2.07 Bil. The company became vulnerable due to the shelter-in-place orders early during the pandemic, which led to fewer subscribers to its platform which is mainly consumed behind the wheel. Considering diminished driving trends, sluggish new-car sales, and the recession – Sirius XM managed to grow its subscriptions by 1% year-over-year (y-o-y), and the total company subscriber count came in flat (due to a 7% decline in Pandora subscribers) so far. Subscriptions continue to generate more than 80% of the company’s revenues, suggesting that it is uniquely positioned among radio operators to survive tough economic conditions. While the company bought online radio master Pandora in order to boost its long-term growth in 2019, it ended up writing off $1 billion of Pandora’s $3.5 billion purchase price as a goodwill impairment charge. This indicates that the management will have to find other ways to boost the company’s growth.
(2) EPS likely to beat consensus estimates
Sirius XM’s Q4 2020 earnings per share (EPS) is expected to be $0.04 as per Trefis analysis, higher than the consensus estimate of $0.02. So far in fiscal 2020, the company’s net income rose 18% to $800 million, or $0.19 a share. For the full-year, we expect Sirius’ net margin to grow 12% y-o-y and reach 13.1% in fiscal 2020. This coupled with marginal growth in Sirius XM revenues, could lead to a rise of $200 million y-o-y in net income to $1.2 billion in 2020. All this, could result in a possible EPS increase from $0.20 in FY 2019 to around $0.23 in FY 2020.
(3) Stock price estimate 12% higher than the current market price
Going by our Sirius XM’s Valuation, with an EPS estimate of around 23 cents and P/E multiple of around 32x in fiscal 2020, this translates into a price of over $7, which is 12% ahead of the current market price of over 6.
Note: P/E Multiples are based on Share Price at the end of the year, and reported (or expected) Adjusted Earnings for the full year
While none of the financial metrics are quite impressive despite the 2020 subscriber count record, the company enjoys an enviable market position as the only satellite radio company.
What if you’re looking for a more balanced portfolio instead? Here’s a high quality portfolio to beat the market, with over 100% return since 2016, versus 55% for the S&P 500. Comprised of companies with strong revenue growth, healthy profits, lots of cash, and low risk, it has outperformed the broader market year after year, consistently.


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The Inland Empire’s third Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers restaurant will open this summer in Ontario, according to representatives of the Louisiana-based quick-service chain.
Raising Cane’s has broken ground on a 4,086-square-foot drive-through at 4360 Mills Circle, between Milliken Avenue and the Ontario Mill’s parking lot. The site previously was home to a Coco’s restaurant that closed last summer.
The chain has similar plans in the works for Temecula, where it wants to replace a shuttered Hometown Buffet with a dual drive-through. That project is under review by the city.
Raising Cane’s is growing rapidly in the region. It has been less than six months since it opened its first Inland restaurant in the city of Riverside on Halloween. A second restaurant opened mid-January in the city of San Bernardino.
In addition to the Temecula restaurant, the company is planning one in Menifee.
In 2017, the company also got a conditional use permit from Ontario for a 3,233-square foot drive-through on North Mountain Avenue.
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers’ name is also its menu. Chicken fingers are the only entree with sides such as fries, coleslaw and Texas toast.


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Figures have emerged for the amount of BlackBerry PlayBook tablets which Rim is planning to ship when the tablet launches in March (although it won’t be out until Q2 over here).
According to the ever-present DigiTimes sources, that number will be a nice round million units. It shows Rim is expecting their device to do well.
And why shouldn’t it? The PlayBook sports some impressive innards, including a dual-core 1GHz processor, a true multi-tasking operating sysem (QNX), and twin cameras on both the front and back. With the price pitched at less than $500, potentially $400, which would undercut the basic iPad by $100.
In other shipping news, Motorola has reportedly ordered some 800,000 of its Tegra 2 powered Xoom slate to be produced initially, and in the North Utsire area, a south-easterly severe gale force 9 decreasing gale force 8 is imminent.


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With the ongoing exception of China, Škoda Auto is doing exceeding well in almost all markets. Next, it hopes to finally crack India with a new small car. This and other models could help the...
For Porsche, the internal combustion engine isn't dead yet, even as the company makes plans for a future line-up of models which includes ever more EVs.
The proportion of companies hiring for robotics roles rose in August
Top countries for Environmental, Social, and Governance Jobs, June-August 2021 (Source: GlobalData)
ESG hiring trends in automotive across the world - the US tops the table by a huge margin (from GlobalData's Jobs Analytics database)
|Country||Number of jobs|
"The quarter was challenging due to continuing semiconductor pressures," the CEO said.
More than 1,600 hauliers and companies write to PM.
Audi stated in June that it won't be phasing out ICE-power until the 2030s. Nonetheless,...
We take a look at GlobalData's job analytics database for hiring trends in cloud-related positions...
As buyers in the world's number one market continue to mainly prefer cars over SUVs,...
Nissan has recently unveiled its ‘intelligent factory’ initiative that will utilize AI, IoT and robotics...


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ChipsAway: Flying the flag for franchising
ChipsAway is expanding its European Network into the untapped Eastern Bloc.
ChipsAway International, world leading SMART repair specialist and one of the fastest growing franchise operations in Europe, is charting unknown territory in pioneering the concept of franchising within the newly independent republics of Eastern Europe, says Executive Chairman Roger Wild.
The company has just signed a Master Franchise agreement for the Ukraine and has its sights firmly set on, among others, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania. 'These rapidly emerging Eastern European economies offer massive potential for growth, and further extend our network across the continent,' Roger comments.
The Ukrainian partners Oleg Shcherbakov, Oleg Anoshin and Yevgen Yarovvy will first launch and establish their ChipsAway franchise in Kiev, before rolling out the concept across the rest of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ukrainian team Oleg Shcherbakov explains: 'Ukraine has a population of around 50 million, with new car sales growing at a rate of 10-15 per cent year-on-year. There is nothing at all like the ChipsAway SMART repair concept in the marketplace, and already the traditional body shops are inundated with demand for their services and are quite incapable of coping with the volume of work.
'In short, the existing infrastructure is inadequate in the face of rocketing demand for car paintwork repairs - the market is crying out for a service such as this, and so we are very confident that this will be a highly successful venture for us.'
The three men spent over a year researching the market and investigating the potential business opportunities available to them, but became interested in ChipsAway when they first saw the operation in Russia.
Subsequently they contacted ChipsAway International in the UK, which arranged for them to visit Theo Sarantaris, ChipsAway's highly successful Master Franchisee in Greece, in operation since 2003. The trip convinced them that ChipsAway had an excellent business model, a unique system and a proven track record of success in several countries.
'We believe that there is no need to reinvent the wheel,' says Oleg. 'Our opportunity is to introduce an established concept into a brand new, receptive marketplace, with the experience and strong support of the ChipsAway team behind us!'
The unique ChipsAway SMART (Small and Medium Area Repair Technology) repair system, which was developed 16 years ago in the United States by ChipsAway Inc., enables automotive paintwork to be repaired by a trained technician to factory finish standard, in a fraction of the time taken by a traditional body shop, and often at around half the price.
The launch of ChipsAway International, eleven years ago, introduced the concept of SMART repairs to the UK marketplace, creating a new market sector in this country and establishing a franchise opportunity with massive potential.
Today, ChipsAway International remains the dominant brand in SMART repairs, with over 350 successful franchisees operating nationwide, and 11 master franchises across the world.
With some 30 million cars on the road in the UK and around 15 million repair opportunities every year, clearly ChipsAway has hardly 'scratched the surface' of this £5.5 billion marketplace.
What makes the ChipsAway franchise different from others?
ChipsAway International is the world's leading SMART (Small and Medium Area Repair Technology) repair specialist, providing perfect repairs to car paintwork on a same-day basis and at around half the price of a traditional body shop.
So, with almost 30 million cars on the road in the UK and rapidly rising demand for repairs to minor bumps, scuffs and scratches, it's no wonder ChipsAway franchisees have full order books for weeks ahead and start to make money from week one.
- Unique paint repair system
- World leading brand
- Proven unfulfilled demand
- Massive market potential - 30 million vehicles
- Personalised training and support package
- Unlimited earning potential
- Rapid return on investment
ChipsAway - not your normal 9-5
At ChipsAway International, we believe that life's too short to be miserable. Our franchisees think so too.They've left the world of nine-to-five, have the freedom to live life to the max, and are earning great money doing something they love.
Our customers love ChipsAway too.That's why they recommend us to their friends, and why ChipsAway franchisees are never short of work.
If you like the good things in life, you'll love ChipsAway. Find out more at one of our free no-obligation Open Days.
Reported by Megan Dunmore


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PicPay, a Brazil-based digital payments app, plans to launch a crypto exchange and a Brazilian real-tied stablecoin in 2022, the company announced Monday.
The exchange will provide access to bitcoin, ether and Paxos’ USDP stablecoin, the company said in a statement, adding that the development of its stablecoin will allow users to pay, transfer and store that cryptocurrency as early as 2022.
“PicPay will enter the crypto market to lead its popularization not only as an investment, but also as a way to decentralize payments and other financial services,” Anderson Chamon, vice president of technology and products at PicPay, said in a statement.
The company was founded in 2012 as a digital wallet, but later mutated into a payments app offering a financial marketplace, among other services. The platform has more than 65 million users, of which 30 million are active.
PicPay has also created a dedicated crypto business unit, Chamon said, adding that it plans to hire new crypto and Web3 talent to join that team.
According to PicPay, the retail crypto market “is already very large in Brazil,” evidenced by the fact that investors double the number of stock investors, the company said based on a survey conducted by local media outlet G1.
The company added that despite the drop in the crypto market, its technological proposition is still the same. “We believe that cryptocurrencies will grow again as new ways of using them appear and become commonplace,” it said.
The entrance of PicPay into the crypto market accompanies that of other major fintech players in Brazil.
In May, Nubank, the largest Brazilian digital bank by market value, added the option for customers to buy and sell bitcoin and ether on its platform, while in December, Mercado Libre, Latin America’s largest e-commerce company by market value, allowed users in Brazil to buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies
The leader in news and information on cryptocurrency, digital assets and the future of money, CoinDesk is a media outlet that strives for the highest journalistic standards and abides by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk is an independent operating subsidiary of Digital Currency Group, which invests in cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups. As part of their compensation, certain CoinDesk employees, including editorial employees, may receive exposure to DCG equity in the form of stock appreciation rights, which vest over a multi-year period. CoinDesk journalists are not allowed to purchase stock outright in DCG.


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In an interview with Fortune, Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson said that the company plans to deliver “deep and immersive storylines” in their Star Wars games, in a similar way to what Rocksteady did with Batman for the Arkham game series.
“What Warner Bros. did with Batman was take the core roots of that IP and manifest that inside the walls of Gotham City and delivered an interactive experience that had real ties to what you would see in the films and what you had read in the comics, while having its own life because it could provide such deep and more immersive storylines,” Wilson said, in part.
“When we look at the Star Wars properties that’s how we’re looking at it. We’re not trying to build a game that replicates the storyline of any particular film.”
EA and Disney announced the Star Wars licensing deal in May 2013, and plans for DICE, Visceral and BioWare to develop games set in the Star Wars universe.


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Dell’s Venue Pro, its newest entry in the smartphone market, looks a lot like the BlackBerry Torch 9800. It features a 4.1-inch capacitive touch screen and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. The Gorilla Glass makes the screen highly scratch-resistant, and Dell’s engineers have ever-so-slightly curved the device’s front-supposedly to give it a more elegant feel.
The smartphone will run Windows Phone 7, on T-Mobile’s network. And just as Research In Motion is aiming the Torch 9800 at the broadest possible audience, Dell evidently intends the Venue Pro for both consumers and businesspeople.
“We see the Venue Pro for everyday people with a diverse range of full and busy lives,” Bill Gorden, a Dell spokesperson, wrote in an Oct. 11 posting on the corporate Direct2Dell blog. “They need to stay connected, be productive and keep in touch with colleagues, friends and families. Dell designed the Venue Pro to be a multi-purpose always-connected device to help people be more efficient, always connected and entertained.”
T-Mobile will host the smartphone “in the U.S. this holiday season,” Gorden added, without clarifying pricing or exact availability.
Dell’s other recent entries in the mobility space include the 4-inch Streak, which launched in the United States Aug. 13. That tablet runs Google’s Android 1.6 operating system, features front- and rear-facing cameras, and is priced at either $549.99 unlocked or $299 with a two-year AT&T contract. In late September, rumors about a 7-inch Streak made their way around the Web, after Dell CEO Michael Dell showed off a prototype device at Oracle OpenWorld.
“Michael made the point that devices are changing and evolving rapidly to keep up with the way users want to get their data-anytime, anywhere,” read a Sept. 22 posting on Direct2Dell, referring to the OpenWorld appearance.
Microsoft launched Windows Phone 7, its latest attempt to regain market share in smartphones, with a New York City event Oct. 11. The smartphone platform will debut in the United States on nine smartphones, from manufacturers such as Dell, LG Electronics and Samsung. GSM-based networks, notably AT&T and T-Mobile, will be the first to offer the devices, which will then migrate to CDMA-based networks such as Verizon in 2011.
As the premiere U.S. carrier, AT&T will introduce three Windows Phone 7 devices in the November-December timeframe: the LG Quantum, the HTC Surround and the Samsung Focus. All three will be priced at $199, a model that other manufacturers and carriers could follow.
“I’ve been looking forward to this day for some time,” Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer told media and analysts gathered for the New York City event. “We focused in on the way real people really want to use their phones when they’re on the go. We want you to get in, out and back to life.”
More to the point, Microsoft wants users who would ordinarily gravitate toward the Apple iPhone or Google Android-whose fierce competitive pushes have eaten away at Microsoft’s mobile market share over the past several quarters-to consider a Windows Phone 7 device instead.


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The company had a standalone net profit of Rs 138 crore in the April-June quarter of last fiscal.
The company's income from operations dipped marginally to Rs 694 crore during the June quarter, from Rs 697 crore in the corresponding period last fiscal.
According to the regulatory filing to the BSE, the company has made a provisioning of Rs 62 crore towards diminution in the value investment and Mark to Market (MTM) losses during the June quarter.
This raised the total expenses to Rs 167 crore in June quarter, from Rs 117 crore in the same period of 2011-12.
On a consolidated basis, Reliance Capital posted a 30 per cent increase in net profit at Rs 45 crore for the first quarter ended June 2012.
The company had a net profit of Rs 35 crore in the April- June quarter of the previous fiscal.
On a consolidated basis, total income of the company increased 12 per cent to Rs 1,676 crore.
As of June 2012, the net worth of the financial services company stood at Rs 11,754 crore.
The company's consolidated business includes operations from Asset management, life and general insurance, commercial finance and broking business.


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US preparing legal action against Fiat Chrysler over diesel emissions
In January, the US Environmental Protection Agency accused the automaker of using software to cheat emission tests in about 104,000 cars and SUVs. The cars in question are 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0-liter diesel engines.
A hearing on the matter will take place on May 24, and the Justice Department is expected to file a lawsuit if the matter is not settled.
Fiat Chrysler (FCA) said the litigation was "counterproductive" and "in the case of any litigation, FCA US will defend itself vigorously, particularly against any claims that the company deliberately installed defeat devices to cheat US emissions tests."
On Wednesday, Reuters reported the European Union is suing Italy for failing to ensure emission devices Fiat Chrysler fitted in its vehicles didn’t allow cheating on pollution tests.
"They [Italian authorities] still need to provide additional information that would convince us that the devices used in Fiat models are justified and can, therefore, be considered legal," an EU source said.
The investigation into FCA by Washington and Brussels comes after a similar lawsuit against Volkswagen. The German carmaker admitted to cheating on emissions and agreed to pay up to $25 billion in the United States alone.


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With the horrible flooding brought by Hurricane Florence, thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes with only meager belongings – some with only the clothes on their backs.
Shelters have been working around the clock to care for these evacuees, but the need is so great that many have begun to run out of supplies.
Shelli Tench, who lives in North Carolina, wanted to do what she could to help. She took some water and diapers over to the shelter set up at Garner Magnet High School in Garner, North Carolina, and while she was there she asked them what their greatest need was.
“T-shirts,” they told her. “We have people coming from all over and we can offer them hot showers, but we don’t have clean clothes for them. So, we need T-shirts and underwear.”
“Let me see what I can do,” Shelli told them, and she headed to a nearby Walmart.
She only had $50 to spend, so she asked to see a manager to see if he would give her a discount on the items so the money would go further.
What the manager did instead left Shelli stunned.
“When Jeff Jobes, the manager on duty, heard about the plight of the people at the shelter he didn’t give me a discount,” Shelli recounted. “Instead, he armed me with one of his associates (Alex) and a shopping cart and told her to fill it… on him.”
Shelli and Alex went around the clothing department loading up their carts with hundreds of items for the shelter. When they finally checked out, the items totaled $1,251 – and Jeff happily paid.
“Y’all… $1,251 later, I was able to deliver 254 items of clothing to the evacuees at the Garner High shelter because Jeff the manager loves his community and he proved it with his actions,” Shelli said.
“This is what love looks like.
“This is what community looks like.
“This is what selflessness looks like.”
Shelli shared this incredible story of human kindness on Facebook and asked that everyone who sees it share it also so Jeff’s actions don’t go unnoticed.
“Do me this favor… share this post far and wide and let’s make it go viral,” Shelli wrote. “Jeff deserves to be recognized for his example of honor, integrity, and community compassion.
“To Jeff and the Walmart at 5141 NC-42, Garner, NC, you have my loyalty and my business from this day forward.”
Then she added one more message for Walmart’s corporate office:
“Hey Walmart … give Jeff a raise!”
Help us spread this beautiful story of selflessness, kindness, and compassion! Share it!


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Twitter Starts Paying Content Creators For Posting On The Platform
Twitter has made it official and has started paying content creators for the content they produce and post online on twitter.
Early this Month, Twitter CEO Elon musk had hinted of this. “Starting today, Twitter will share ad revenue with creators for ads that appear in their reply threads” Elon Musk made the announcement on 3rd of February.
While this might be good news for most creators, this option will not be eligible for all creators. You will have to be eligible before you get the approval. So, who is eligible for twitter content creators.
All twitter users can be eligible provided you have the blue verification tick which starts at $8 a month.
So how will the ads be served on your tweets, the thing is the ads will have to appear on the content that you originally authored, with this, you will only earn from ads that are served in the comment section.
While this is great for many, many are afraid that twitter comment sections will now be flooded with ads. There are also fears that spamming activities may start rising as creators compete for more space in the comment section to display ads.
For long, tweeter had kept the revenue sharing option with creators as not option. The platform has enjoyed 100% percent of the revenue generated from the platform.
Other online platforms such us Google, have been working on the revenue sharing module with creators where website and YouTube owners who opt for monetization are usually paid by Google.
TikTok only announced its own ad revenue sharing program mid last year with TikTok Pulse, though the offer was only extended to accounts with at least 100,000 followers — a lofty cutoff. The ad revenue sharing model is even less common on platforms that emphasize text rather than video.


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TEXARKANA, Ark. (KTAL/KMSS) – After being closed for over a month, bars and restaurants in Arkansas will be allowed to open May 11th in increments.
“We realize that restaurants and small businesses have struggled financially. And they’ve been out of work and they’re now having to reconfigure their restaurants in a way that is safe,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson, State of Arkansas.
According to Governor, this means dine-in restaurants can open with a 33 percent occupancy rate.this is considered phase one. Dine-in locations will closely monitor the flow of traffic in their business and continue to practice social distancing.
If there’s no spike in cases the state will proceed to phase two with a 67 percent occupancy rate. Officials said all employees will be required to wear personal protective equipment like a mask and gloves at all times.
“We’ll have separate tables that’ll be distancing from other customers. And We’ll have disposable menus in place for a while and just keep everything sanitized,” said David Jones, Owner of Hopkins Ice House.
Hutchinson also announced the Arkansas Ready for Business $15 million grant program to offset expenses related to the health and safety of employees.
The governor also announced an additional 81 cases of COVID-19. Bringing the state’s total to 3,192.


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Apple has been slapped with a second class-action privacy lawsuit over claims that one of its iPhone privacy settings doesn't actually work.
The lawsuit alleges that the iPhone Analytics privacy setting, which claims to prevent Apple from collecting usage data, doesn't do that at all. It's said that Apple continues to collect data even after the setting has been disabled.
Apple was already the subject of a class-action suit relating to the privacy setting after one was filed in California last year. Now, a new one has another to deal with — this time filed in Pennsylvania.
This latest lawsuit, reported by Gizmodo, alleges that Apple's ineffective setting equates to "systematic violations of state wiretapping, privacy, and consumer fraud laws.” The lawsuit goes on to say that "quite simply, Apple unlawfully records and uses consumers’ personal information and activity on its consumer mobile devices and applications (‘apps’), even after consumers explicitly indicate through Apple’s mobile device settings that they do not want their data and information shared.”
The iPhone Analytics setting claims to disable all sharing of device analytics, but research by Mysk shows that not to be the case.
Further, it's claimed that while Apple says that any device analytics data isn't personally identifiable, the data appears to be transmitted with an ID number that is tied to individual iCloud accounts — accounts that include information like a user's name, address, and contact details.
All of this, if true, is particularly embarrassing for Apple, a company that continues to advertise its iPhones as the best option for privacy-focused users who want to control who has access to their data. Apple is also yet to comment on whether the iPhone Analytics feature is behaving as intended, or not, and we've reached out to the Cupertino company for comment.
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Apple often touts privacy and security as one of the best iPhone features of all, but this and other class-action lawsuits don't help its case — not does the radio silence, for that matter.
Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too.
Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.


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What is Samsung’s Tizen Operating System?
Throughout 2015, Samsung Electronics plans to introduce a slew of devices running the Tizen operating system, an open and flexible operating system which seeks to address the needs of all stakeholders of the mobile and connected device ecosystem, including application developers, mobile operators, device manufacturers, and independent software vendors (ISVs). While Tizen has existed since 2012, this year it will show up on devices consumers can purchase. Tizen is developed by a community of developers, under open source governance, and is open to all members who wish to participate.
This OS has already been featured in Samsung’s wearables and cameras, and moving forward will be the OS in most of their smart appliances and all of their Smart TVs this year. In January, Samsung introduced its first Tizen smartphone, the Samsung Z1, in India. This smartphone is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 768 MB RAM and 4GB internal memory expandable up to 64GB with a microSD card. The battery life has been enhanced greatly, now enabled with 7 hours of non-stop videos and 8 hours of talk time and is equipped with a long-lasting 1500mAh battery.
BK Yoon, Samsungs’s CEO, announced at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) that all Samsung devices will be IoT-ready in five years. According to Samsung:
Tizen constitutes a large and important part of our Internet of Things (IoT) strategy that encompasses all device categories across the company. Considering that we sold around 665 million devices last year alone, that could translate into a lot of Tizen.”
What are the benefits to Tizen?
Tizen is “lighter” than other operating systems, requiring less processing power and memory, which ensures faster device speeds, faster web browsing, easier multitasking, all while consuming less energy and enjoying a longer battery life.
For application developers and ISVs, Tizen offers native application development with the flexibility of HTML5 support, and has also released Tizen software development kits (SDK) that cover different types of Tizen devices. Tizen offers the potential for application developers to extend their reach to new “smart devices” running Tizen, including wearables, consumer electronics, cars and appliances.
Through these efforts, they hope not only to expand the Tizen ecosystem, but also to diversify and acclimate the Tizen experience to fit the diversity of consumer lifestyles the world over, according to the Samsung blog.
Is Samsung abandoning all other operating systems as they move forward in IoT goals?
In short, no. Samsung is focused on its IoT initiatives, having open platforms as an option while also remaining open to other operating systems.
At Samsung, our IoT initiatives are being undertaken with foremost emphasis on openness. We want open platforms, and we also remain open to other operating systems. In doing so, we can ensure seamless interoperability and connectivity among the billions of devices being used daily. We also value the relationships we have built with our partners, as these relationships have helped us discover more ways to improve the user experience of our devices, ultimately creating more value for consumers.”
The Tizen community is made up of all of the people who collectively work on or with Tizen. If you would like to get involved with Tizen in any way, you can join the Tizen community here.


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A group, ‘Electricity Consumer Protection Forum’ has called for the speedy passage of the bill seeking to criminalise estimated billings by Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) in the country. Its National Coordinator, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday. Samuel-Ilori was reacting to […]
Mojec Meter Assets Management Company, a subsidiary of Mojec International Limited has partnered with eight banks to provide retail financing for electricity customers. Continue reading Estimated Billing: Mojec partners 8 banks on meter acquisition financing at Vanguard News.
For those who know, the erratic power supply in the country is not surprising. Currently, the Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria (DISCOs) are unwilling to accept all the power generated by Power Generating Companies (GENCOs). Continue reading DISCOs enjoy supplying 1,000mw electricity but billing customers for 9, 000mw — Onovo, ex-presidential candidate at Vanguard News.
“We residents in the community have all come to an agreement that no one-room apartment resident would pay anything more than N600…” Henry Okonkwo Recently, residents of Orile-Iganmu community in Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State trooped out in large numbers to protest the epileptic power supply in the area as well […]
The Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, Sunday Oduntan, tells OKECHUKWU NNODIM how the power sector will be adversely affected if the National Assembly passes the bill to criminalise estimated billing What are your views about the bill seeking to criminalise estimated billing which is currently before the House of Representatives? […]
Yemi Oke The best way to ensure the balance between the energy supplied and what an electricity customer consumes is to install a meter. And such a metering device can be either pre-paid or post-paid. Estimated billing occurs when a customer does not have a meter. Generally, no electricity distribution company (DisCo) makes estimated billing […]
With the forthcoming public hearing of a bill to criminalise estimated billing by Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria, one can say things are looking up for millions of electricity consumers denied pre-paid meters and therefore, serially raped by these companies, otherwise known as DisCos. It is not like by this development their impunity against consumers […]
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has appraised the interaction between the nation’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and their consumers, declaring that arbitrary billing and group disconnection of electricity consumers without consideration for those paying their bills constitute a gross abuse of consumer rights. The Director General of the Council, Babatunde Irukera, said these in Abuja, […]
The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) said on Thursday that arbitrary billing and group disconnection of electricity consumers, without consideration for those paying their bills, constituted gross violations of consumers’ rights. Its Director-General, Mr Babatunde Irukera, said this in Abuja, at a meeting with the top management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), according to […]
The Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED) has assured the non-Maximum Demand (MD) customers or residential customers that it is intensifying plans to provide meters to eradicate the challenge of estimated billing.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) says directive by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to consumers not to pay estimated electricity billings only applies to Maximum Demand (MD) customers and not residential. The Chief Executive Officer of ANED, Mr Azu Obiaya made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) […]


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Mitsubishi revealed the pricing of the first Laservue TV L65-A90 to hit the market in the United States at the end of the third Quarter. The 65 inch Mitsubishi Laservue has an MSRP of $6,999.
The price is quite a bit more than you have to pay for a decent LCD or Plasma HDTV in the 65 inch size. The open question will be what price retailers actually will offer the Laservue 65 inch HDTV in store shelves.
Of course the Mitsubishi Laservue TV is promising a new level of image quality. The Mitsubishi Laservue TV delivers twice the colors of today's HDTVs.
The Laser beams provide an extensive range of rich, complex colors, truly distinct clarity, and immersive depth of field. Additionally the Mitsubishi LaserVue has about half the operating power consumption of similar-sized LCD TVs, and a third of Plasma.
The LaserVue TVs also come equipped with 3D-ready viewing technology.
Other features of the Laservue L65-A90 include x.v.Color, PerfectColor, 4 HDMI ports and wired IR input.
A long odyssey for the first Laser TV to come to the market is coming to an end. The Mitsubishi Laser TV story started in 2006. Delayed in 2007, Mitsubishi officially announced the first Laser TV earlier this year at the CES 2008. In April the company announced the LaserVue branding.
Later this year a 73 inch LaserVue Laser TV will also become available.
Via the new Mitsubishi LaserVue TV site.
Don't Miss: Today's Electronics Bargains at Woot.com


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Honor is now reportedly planning to launch its new smartphone dubbed Honor Magic 5 and the same is expected to be official in China very soon. The important specifications of the device surfaced online and it is said to be powered by the yet to be announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. So let’s dive into the article to check out the complete details.
According to the latest information, the upcoming Honor Magic 5 will feature a 50-megapixel primary camera sensor on the back panel with Artificial Intelligence-based ISP tuning.
It is expected to feature a 6.8-inch display with support for PWM dimming and a high refresh rate. The source is also claiming that the device will have IP68 for water and dust resistance, and it is said that the device will support 100W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging.
Qualcomm will be launching the upcoming processor this month and that means we can expect the launching of the smartphone later the announcement of the Snapdragon flagship mobile processor.
Read interesting news, reviews as well as tips & tricks on TechnoBugg website, and stay updated with the latest happenings of the tech world on the go with Technobugg App. Also follow on Google News and join our Telegram channel for the latest updates


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Sconto Bútor to open new Ft 1.4 bln store in Miskolc
Tuesday, September 26, 2006, 13:36
Sconto Bútor Kft, a leading furniture store in Hungary, will open its newest store in Miskolc this year November, which will be the biggest furniture store in the region, and Sconto’s first store in the countryside of Hungary. Constructions started on May 15, 2006. They built a 5000 square meter store on 7000 square meters of a 13,000 square meter property. Sconto CEO András Turi and Sándor Káli Mayor of Miskolc were talking about the new development together at a press release.
The new store will provide a lot of work for the region. The city spent Ft 10 million to provide education for the new workers, giving some of them new profession. Some of Scontos’ new workers received their new certificates from the Mayor at the event of the press release. Since the store is located close to the M3 motorway, the Mayor expects further dynamic expansion and development not only in the city but also in the region. (miskolc.hu)


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USA: Transora to be powered by ARBA alliance
At a recent conference in Miami, Transora gave the Ariba (ARBA) and i2 Technologies (ITWO) B2B marketplace alliance the edge over its rival Commerce One (CMRC), but it simultaneously raised eyebrows in ignoring IBM from the partnership which will power its exchange. Transora, the online consumer products trading exchange, obviously agreed with speculation that the three-strong alliance between Ariba, i2 and IBM was superior to the new software being produced by Commerce One and SAP, but it stressed that the Ariba and i2 deals took priority. Bill James, an executive from Transora, commented that a decision had not been reached on the inclusion of IBM, but more announcements detailing the choice of technology partners could be expected soon.For more information on Transora, see just-food.com's Feature Article at:
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Airbag bike helmet seeks to bolster safety
An EU-funded project has created an airbag bike helmet that is eight times safer than its traditional counterparts. It is both comfortable and attractive in a bid to motivate more people to cycle responsibly.
In Europe today, cycling is seen as a sustainable and environmentally friendly mode of transport. However, it comes with serious safety concerns related to traffic accidents in urban areas.
When cyclists hit their heads they can suffer from concussion, one of the major forms of brain injury. But despite this risk, many bikers decide not to wear protective helmets, dismissing them as cumbersome and unattractive.
In a bid to boost the safety of cyclists, an EU-funded project known as THE INVISIBLE HELMET has developed an airbag that is worn around the neck and expands in the event of an accident, becoming both thicker and softer than a traditional helmet. It reduces the risk of concussion by up to eight times and almost completely eliminates the risk of skull fracture.
We have made what some said was impossible, possible, says Fredrik Carling, project lead and chief executive of Swedish company Hövding that makes the helmets. We have developed the airbag technology so that it is activated in the event of a collision and is more effective than traditional bike helmets.
The product is now being sold in 16 countries and half of all wearers did not previously don protective helmets.
The project team developed the expanding airbag helmet using high-rate sensors and high energy density batteries. They proved the concept and created an expanding airbag, which is now certified and approved.
Independent tests, carried out at Stanford University in the United States, found it to be far more effective than standard helmets made from expanded polystyrene foam and stated that it is "near perfect in terms of protecting against concussion and head injuries caused by accidents.
Further developments to the helmet known as Hövding mean that it is made of one piece of woven fabric and can be manufactured in bulk, making it cheaper and more accessible to users.
Next up? Interaction
Going forward, the helmet will be enhanced with interactive features.
There is now an opportunity for the invisible helmet to speak to the user, says Carling. We want to connect it to the surrounding world so that it can interact with traffic to ease movement and avoid dangerous traffic situations.
The product will also be able to connect to smartphones and apps, which adds to its potential for development, he adds.
Hövding has already created an app that has helped map out dangerous interchanges and traffic trouble spots in London. In a 2016 campaign, cyclists were encouraged to Give a beep on the Flic app whenever they encountered a risky situation. The data was subsequently shared with policymakers in a bid to bolster the safety of the citys biking infrastructure.
Hövding is giving back to communities across the world. In exchange for helping the company gather data, it is donating money to good causes on behalf of everyday bikers. In Sweden, for example, funding goes towards cycling schemes for immigrants. Donations also support a project in Africa that helps children commute to school by providing them with bikes.


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Thanks to making a big splash as the cover girl of the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover, the better half of retired New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter in swimsuit model, Hannah Davis is ready to leave her horse and the beach for the fashion runway.
The 25-year-old 5’10 native of Saint Thomas, who is a three-time SI cover model has reportedly signed on to host a spinoff of the wildly popular Project Runway titled, ‘Project Runway Junior’, where prospective teenage fashion designers will get a chance to showcase their ideas, according to The Daily Mail
After recently draping herself in the American flag over Independence Day weekend, one can only imagine what kind of fireworks Davis will set off in the world of fashion and design.
Happy Woman Crush Wednesday![metaslider id=42427]


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A coalition of restaurants asked US consumers to participate in “The Great American Takeout” on March 24, as the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout America.
The coalition brands included California Pizza Kitchen, Chevys Fresh Mex, El Torito, The Habit Restaurants Inc., Jason’s Deli, Lemonade, Modern Market, Noodles & Company, Panera Bread and Veggie Grill, with various independent restaurants participating across the country.
#TheGreatAmericanTakeout started trending on social media with celebrities, restaurateurs and foodservice news editors posting to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Basketball legend LeBron James, who owns about 10% of Blaze Pizza, retweeted the chain’s plea to customers to support #TheGreatAmericanTakeout. That post alone undoubtedly boosted the profile of the event, as James has more than 45 million Twitter followers.
In the US, while many restaurants have closed, takeaway is still available in most states. Unlike New Zealand, America has not gone into full lockdown and restaurant brands are urging the support of consumers while they are still able to operate.


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By Christian Zibreg on Mar 15, 2013
Apple shipped five million Apple TVs last year for a nearly $500 million in additional revenue. That’s a very successful hobby and while talk of Tim Cook & Co. building a standalone HD TV set remains just that – rumor mongering – Apple has quietly retooled the $99 set-top box, with most of the under-the-hood tweaks aimed at optimizing production costs.
AnandTech took a peek inside the gadget and found some minor changes. The publication found a significant reduction in the new model’s power consumption, directly related to the optimized A5 chip, leading AnandTech to speculate that perhaps Apple could use this chip for another device, “perhaps one powered by a battery” (hint: iWatch)… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Mar 13, 2013
Perhaps in a slight indication of the kinds of limitations we could expect from Apple’s rumored iWatch, repair wizards over at iFixit tore apart the Pebble smartwatch, having concluded that the components are so densely packed in such a tiny space that the gizmo is not repairable at all. As a result, iFixit refrained from giving the Pebble a repairability score in the first place.
And because the makers of the Pebble smartwatch had to use excessive adhesive for waterproofing, the battery is “very inaccessible” and there’s no way of prying open the device “without compromising the display”… Read More
By Cody Lee on Nov 4, 2012
The iPad mini went on sale around the world on Friday, and though the official numbers aren’t in yet, it appears to be selling rather well. This in spite of its lack of a Retina display, and its higher-than-average price tag.
In fact, Apple’s had to defend the mini’s pricing a couple of times now, claiming that its profit margins on the device are lower than on any of its other products. And according to a new teardown, that seems to be the case…
By Cody Lee on Nov 2, 2012
With the newly-unveiled fourth generation iPad now on sale in some parts of the globe, the inevitable teardowns have begun. As usual, iFixit was first on scene, and has posted a detailed breakdown of the tablet’s innards.
As you might expect, there aren’t many internal differences between the new iPad and the one Apple launched 6 months ago. But it does have a new processor, and a few other changes, so it’s certainly worth taking a look at… Read More
By Cody Lee on Nov 1, 2012
We’ve still got about 24 hours or so until the iPad mini goes on sale here in the US, but the i-teardown experts over at iFixit have already scored their test subject. And they’re ripping it apart as we speak.
This has become a bit of a ritual for the do-it-yourself repair site, with new Apple products, and it usually reveals some interesting things about the devices. So let’s see what they’ve discovered thus far… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Oct 29, 2012
The repair experts over at iFixit pried open Microsoft’s Surface RT tablet (model number 1516) and awarded the device a repairability score of four out of ten (ten is the easiest to repair), thanks to several components being modular and replaceable without requiring desoldering. Plus, the battery can be removed “pretty easily”, iFixit notes.
This is better than a score of two out of ten for the third-generation iPad with Retina display, but lower than Amazon’s Kindle Fire, which has an impressive eight out of ten repairability score. Google’s seven-inch Nexus tablet is the easiest to repair among these tablets with a nice seven out of ten score. More tidbits and teardown analysis right below… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Oct 16, 2012
Solutions provider iFixit tore apart Apple’s seventh-generation iPod nano which was released alongside the iPhone 5 and the fifth-generation iPod touch at the September 12 media event. In addition to a Broadcom Bluetooth module and a touchscreen controller from Texas Instruments (whose mobile arm could be acquired by Amazon), the music player also packs in five Apple-branded mystery chips and scores a lower repairability score than the iPhone 5… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Oct 11, 2012
Apple’s fifth-generation iPod touch, which debuted alongside the iPhone 5 during the September 12 keynote, is on sale now, first reviews are great and already the wizards at iFixit have done what they do best: they tore apart the device to peek under the hood and analyze its innards.
Unlike the iPhone 5 that runs the latest A6 chip with 1GB of RAM, Apple’s ultra-thin (just 6.1mm) media player packs in the Apple-designed A5 processor with 512MB of Hynix-supplied RAM. The same silicon also powers the iPad 2 (the iPad 3 runs a souped up variant labeled the A5X). Perhaps unexpectedly, the new iPod touch has a weaker home button than that on the iPhone 5… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 25, 2012
The A6 is clearly a beast of a chip, not just in terms of sheer power but also in delivering the world’s first phone powered by ARM’s Cortex-A15 CPU platform, completely customized to Apple’s needs. In addition to two CPU cores, the first diffusion image by UBM TechInsights has also showed three GPUs.
And now, repair wizards iFixit teamed up with chip experts Chipworks who put the A6 silicon under a sophisticated microscope. Here’s what we could glean from so-called “floorplans”… Read More
By Cody Lee on Sep 22, 2012
The iPhone 5 launched yesterday, and first impressions seem to be in line with the early reviews: the thing is fast. As most of you know, Apple custom-built an all-new processor for the handset called the A6.
Now that the phone is available, we expect to learn more about the new chip as teardown experts continue to rip the device apart. In fact, a new tidbit has already surfaced: the A6 has triple-core graphics… Read More
By Cody Lee on Sep 20, 2012
Though we’ve still got a good 8 hours or so before the iPhone 5 officially goes on sale here in the US, due to the time difference, the handset has already launched in Australia.
And wouldn’t you know it, the i-teardown experts over at iFixit were on hand to pick one up and have already started ripping it apart. More on their findings inside the fold… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Sep 20, 2012
…but it ain’t a kind of thorough analysis we’d come to expect from repair experts iFixIt. Instead, a German blog has obtained an iPhone 5 and pried it open, exposing the innards of Apple’s new device to the world. As you know, the iPhone 5 goes on sale in the United States and eight international markets tomorrow at 8am.
This teardown does prove, however, that a bunch of parts that leaked in the run-up to the iPhone 5 keynote were legit. The layout of components appears to closely resemble both the slides and the promo video Apple execs used during the keynote. For true teardown analysis, we’ll have to wait until iFixIt gets their hands on the iPhone 5… Read More
By Cody Lee on Sep 18, 2012
In addition to a new iPhone, and iPods, Apple also unveiled a new set of headphones last week. Dubbed “EarPods,” the company said that it spent more than three years developing the accessory.
Today, the team over at iFixit performed their usual teardown of the headphones, and published an extensive report of its findings. And as you can imagine, some of it is rather interesting… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Jul 4, 2012
Despite being only one millimeter thicker, Google’s upcoming Nexus 7 slate is more repairable than the new iPad, a teardown analysis by iFixit has concluded. Its components are assembled using standard tools, unlike the new iPad’s innards which are glued together.
A simpler assembly makes servicing the Google tablet fairly easy with standard plastic opening tools that make “cracking the Nexus shell like cutting through butter”… Read More
By Christian Zibreg on Mar 20, 2012
While guys over at iFixIt have done their trademark awesome job peeking under the new iPad’s hood, one aspect of its bowels hasn’t been scrutinized yet: the Apple-designed A5X chip labeled “S5L8945X” and fabbed on Samsung’s 45-nanometer process. Enter silicon analysis firm Chipworks which just released a high-resolution photo depicting so-called “floorplans” of the A5X package.
Their analysis corroborates speculation on the A5X architecture and offers a fascinating insight into the innards of the A5X package. As you can see in the above shot, a large portion of the A5X’s die is dedicated to the four graphic cores, found to be comparable to Nvidia’s Tegra 3 chip in terms of speed.
Apple does not publicly specify the type of GPU/CPU used, but it’s been widely rumored that the A5X packs in Imagination Technologies’ PowerVR SGX543MP4 technology versus a dual core PowerVR SGX543MP2 GPU found inside the A5 chip from iPad 2 (both pieces of silicon run dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore CPU). Read on for the nitty-gritty details depicted in the polysilicon die photos… Read More
By Oliver Haslam on Mar 17, 2012
It’s become something of a ritual for some. Apple releases a new device, be it iPhone or iPad, and then someone waits patiently to get their hands on it with the sole aim of ripping it apart. It’s a regular assurance these days, and the new iPad has suffered the same fate as its brethren.
This time around, amongst others, IHS iSuppli got their hands on a new iPad and set about doing the only honorable thing: ripping it apart with the sole aim of trying to figure out just how much one of these things costs to make and, thus, how much the device is adding to Apple’s world famous bottom line.
The answer very much depends on the model sold, but regardless, Apple is indeed making plenty of profit on each iPad sold… Read More
By Cody Lee on Mar 15, 2012
Every time Apple releases new hardware, the tech world awaits its inevitable teardown. Apple’s products are just as much a feat in engineering as they are sleek and beautiful. And everyone wants to know how they’ve done it.
The new iPad is no exception. Apple has managed to squeeze over 3 million pixels into the tablet’s Retina display, and add a high-speed LTE radio, all while maintaing [roughly] the same size, price and battery life of its predecessors.
So what’s going on under the hood to make it all possible? Let’s find out… Read More
By Alex Heath on Nov 9, 2011
Apple recently stated in a support email that it has no plans to bring Siri to older iDevices, and many are wondering why. If it’s just a matter of software, then Apple’s decision to not bring Siri to non-4S devices can be seen as a simple marketing gimmick. If other devices can run Siri like the iPhone 4S, then why not make it available for everyone?
Porting Siri to other iDevices involves more than just software, as there are some noticeable hardware differences in the iPhone 4S. Read More
By Kickstar13 on Oct 20, 2011
The folks over at iSuppli have teared down the new iPhone 4S, this time providing a detailed analysis as well as the estimated cost to manufacture the handset.
While the iPhone 4S looks almost completely identical to the previous generation iPhone 4, there are some changes inside the new handset which seem to have translated to a 50 cent cost increase from the iPhone 4… Read More
By Cody Lee on Oct 14, 2011
If you’re one of the millions of people that pre-ordered an iPhone 4S, or were able to snag one from a retail store, chances are you’ve been busy today. You’ve moved your contacts over, synced it with iTunes, and customized its settings to your liking.
Well the folks over at iFixYouri have a different ritual they go through after receiving a new handset. They’ve pulled out the mini-screwdriver, and have completely disassembled Apple’s new smartphone. Find out how easy it is in this surprisingly short video clip… Read More


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When starting up Rediscover Travel, Chris Watson’s plan was always to be travel agent focused. He wanted to create a wholesaler that was “by Agents, for Agents”, he said. And now he’s joined forces with “other successful and likeminded professionals” so the company can better achieve that goal.
Andrew Minto from Home & Afar Travel, Lauren Howard from How We Travel and Narelle Cook from Next Travels will join founder Chris Watson and recently appointed GM, Walter Nand, as Rediscover Travel enters its next phase.
“It’s four powerhouse businesses coming together to give agents options and support,” said Watson.
“That is our goal.”
According to new director, Andrew Minto, the Rediscover Travel team plans to “shake up the industry and help other agents just like us”.
The team says it plans to highlight gaps in the market and areas of frustration.
“Rediscover will research these challenges and find solutions that will then be rolled out to the greater travel agency/advisor community.”
While all the directors will continue to operate their individual retail travel agency businesses, they will also provide invaluable insights and experience to Rediscover Travel.
“Watch this space,” said Watson.
“There will be more products and more destinations coming soon.”
Rediscover Travel recently announced the purchase and merger of Unique Cruises.
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This is coolbert:
Drone warfare the Ukraine Conflict. Combat drones and designed as such and not field expedient type of combat drone.
"Taiwan delivers 'gift' to Ukraine – Bild"
"Taipei supplied hundreds of shell-dropping drones according to the German newspaper"
"Taiwan delivers 'gift' to Ukraine – Bild."
From Russian controlled [?] media RT dated 26 Aug, 2022.
"Ukraine received a gift of 800 drones to mark its independence day this week, which are designed to fly over targets and drop mortar shells on them, German tabloid Bild has reported."
See Taiwanese DronesVision Internet web site.
"The present came from Taiwan, the newspaper said on its Russian-language social media on Thursday. The claim was widely repeated in Ukrainian media. The drones are made by the Taiwan-based firm DronesVision, which also makes anti-drone equipment. The Revolver model is a quadcopter design that carries a package of eight 60mm mortar shells weighing over 10kg [22 pounds], which can be released by the operator, according to the producer. The package looks like the rotating barrel of a revolver, giving the weapon its name."
Again, these machines not combat drones field-expedient as might be the case. Mortar rounds referred to as "bombs" in the rest of the world. This Drones Vision designs both drones and counter-drone technology. I would be curious to know if Drones has incorporated some sort of counter-counter-drone technology into the Revolver! Thanks to DronesVision.com for the video.
Revolver also able to carry and drop on target larger sized mortar rounds of 81 mm and 120 mm. size.
Русский берегитесь дрона с подарками. Вы были предупреждены.


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From Campaign US: Shall we blame Colin Kaepernick? Maybe it’s the NFL. Or it could be that advertisers just don’t want to pony up $5 million for 30-seconds of airtime in these economically uncertain times.
Whatever the reason, with barely a week to go before kickoff, there is apparently still ad space available for Super Bowl LI—a historical anomaly that suggests the NFL’s woes didn’t end with the regular season.
Last year, CBS, the home of Super Bowl 50, reported most 30-second ad units sold out by November. The pattern was similar in earlier years. But, this season, 10 percent of the advertising inventory was still reported to be available in December, and there is no word from Fox Sports at press time whether all the spots are sold out. For more, click here


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Microsoft's Bing search engine is now out, allowing the Internet users to decide whether Microsoft's search engine has the where-with-all to compete with Google.
The Bing engine, replaces Live Search, Among the other name changes that go along with the new search, Live Search Cashback is now Bing Cashback, while technology from Microsoft's Farecast acquisition now powers Bing Travel. Virtual Earth gets a name change ) and is now Bing Maps for Enterprise.
With Bing, Microsoft is trying to make the case that search today is still an often unsatisfying experience. That is a unique challenge for Microsoft. Although its research shows that most people repeat searches and give up without finding exactly what they are looking for, perceived satisfaction of search is actually pretty high.
To help make the case, Microsoft plans to spend huge amounts of money on advertising and marketing. Estimates in the advertising trade mags have pegged spending at $80 million to $100 million.
That's key, since very few people currently go out of their way to search using Microsoft's technology. Most Microsoft searches come via MSN, from toolbars and other methods, while just 1 or 2 percent come from people actually typing Live.com into their browser's address bar.
"Nearly 98 percent of the traffic at Live.com is passive (coming from MSN, etc.) and Bing will be an attempt by Microsoft to establish its search offering as a destination Web site with high active traffic," Collins Stewart analyst Sandeep Agarwal said in a research note on Monday. "In our view, though Microsoft's search technologies are ready for prime time, making a call on the success of Bing now will be premature."
One of the things we willl be watching is how content wed designers and Internet marketing specialists react to the new ways that Microsoft pulls content into the search pages. The main results page offers the option to hover over the result for more information, while the product search site repurposes professional reviews, user reviews, and other information directly within product search results. Microsoft allows a live preview of videos from within its search results.Of course, other engines also borrow heavily from the sites they are searching. Don't forget, Google hosts its own cached versions of the pages it searches.
The issue is, of course, is whether users will choose Bing. Microsoft have generated a good amount of initial interest, as well as some positive reviews.


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Apple closes US stores again / Sears to sell more assets / Steinhoff facing $14.6bn in legal claims; and more.
Embattled US department-store icon to open three new-format stores.
US bankruptcy court judge approves department store chair’s offer.
Retailers to undergo some restructuring as they attempt to figure out why the strategies that used to bring in sales just don’t any more.
Eddie Lampert’s last-minute bid to save 45,000 jobs.
Amazon’s Whole Foods unit eyes old Sears, Kmart sites for expansion.
Chairman’s revised offers considered best path forward.
The bid failed to cover fees and vendor payments, according to sources close to the process.
Lampert’s final efforts to save the retailer is set to terminate on Friday afternoon.
Liquidation sales are expected to begin in early January.


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Over 21 million New Companies are Registered in China For 4 Years
Over 21.5 million new companies are registered in China after the government announced in 2014 a new policy to support and create favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurship and innovation. This is reported by Xinhua, quoted by BGNES.
The state gradually reduces taxes and removes bureaucratic barriers to businesses and reduces the amount of different taxes and fees.
As the agency notes, the large-scale and rapid development of entrepreneurship and innovation has spurred the growth of the economy and also helped create new jobs and increase people's incomes.
According to Xinhua, over 4200 new high tech enterprises have been created since 2014.
One of the most dynamically developing sectors of the economy is trade, with the share of e-commerce increasing.
- » Dutch Company Takeaway.com Buys BGMenu for EUR 10.5 Million
- » Nearly 8.9 Million Foreign Tourists Came to Bulgaria in 2017
- » The IMF Insists: Accelerate the Raise of Wages!
- » SurveyThe Most Visited Country in the World is Japan
- » Venezuela will Release Another Virtual Currency
- » Investments in "Smart" Cities will Reach $ 80 billion in 2018


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McDonald’s lost the coffee lawsuit because it served coffee to a 79-year-old that was so hot that it caused third-degree burns to 16% of her body in three seconds. While many in the news made elderly Stella Liebeck’s lawsuit an example of what is wrong with the U.S. legal system, she had a legitimate legal claim.
How Hot was McDonald’s Coffee?
While most home coffee makers normally serve coffee around 140℉ (60℃), McDonald’s coffee was approximately 190℉ (87℃), and experts during the trial testified that McDonald’s coffee was 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than coffee served by other companies.
Liebeck’s burns were so severe that:
- 16% of her body was burned away,
- She required skin graft surgeries,
- She was hospitalized for eight days, and
- Her recovery lasted two years
Liebeck, through her attorney, had no choice but to sue McDonald’s for the coffee. During the lawsuit, Liebeck tried to settle the case for $20,000 which was enough to cover her medical bills. However, McDonald’s only wanted to give her $800.
Evidence came out that 700 other people were burned by McDonald’s coffee, yet the company never changed its policy
The jury awarded Stella Liebeck $2.7 million, though the amount was later reduced on appeal.
What Occurred after the Lawsuit?
After the lawsuit, McDonald’s improved its coffee cup’s packaging to better hold hot coffee and it added a stronger warning label. In addition, the lawsuit is very controversial and has strong supporters for and against the lawsuit.
So, why did McDonald’s lose the coffee lawsuit? Imagine how this entire lawsuit could have been avoided had McDonald’s simply paid Stella Liebeck the $20,000.
Visit our Food Law Section to learn more about how food and the law are intertwined.


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Excluding items, Tesla earned $1.93 per share.
The Silicon Valley electric carmaker said it made a net profit of US$139.5 million in the three months ended December 31, compared with a US$311.5 million profit in the third quarter, when it benefited from regulatory credits.
More changes are afoot in the Tesla lineup after the partial demise of the $7,500 federal tax credit prompted the electric automaker to cut prices and further simplify the model range. On Wednesday, the company sought to reassure investors that the manufacturing woes are over.
During a conference call Wednesday to discuss Tesla's second-straight profitable quarter, CEO Elon Musk said the company has ordered the tooling needed to start production of the Model Y battery- electriccrossover.
Snow to hit London tonight as Southeastern warns of busier peak trains
Wintry weather could hit during the evening commute as sleet and snow are set to fall across the city this evening. The amber warning will come into effect alongside four yellow warnings for snow and ice throughout Britain.
The company said it expects to be producing about 7,000 vehicles per week at its factory in Fremont, California, by the end of the year. Total deliveries for the quarter were 90,700, also falling short of some estimates on Wall Street.
"It is critical that we continue this trend so that we can keep increasing the affordability of Model 3 while retaining a sustainable level of profitability", the company said. As we saw with the Model 3 unveiling, it could be some time for the truck to make it to production and into driveways. The roll-out for what Tesla calls V3 technology to enable faster charge times is also underway and to be expected "early this year". Tesla's staff had increased by 30% in 2018, which Musk said was more than the company could support as it seeks to reduce costs. Investors keep a close eye on Tesla's cash stores because the company has hundreds of millions of dollars in debt payments due in the coming months.
However, the company said in its statement announcing results Wednesday that it expects to have positive GAAP net income and free cash flow in every quarter beyond the fiscal first quarter of 2019.
No timeline for its production was offered, but Musk has previously said it looks like something from "Blade Runner" and will have several first of their kind features.
Is this the Patriots’ new Super Bowl anthem?
McCourty is in his ninth season with the New England Patriots . " He felt, obviously, betrayed by his coach", Sherman said. I hope he decimates the Rams this Sunday just to further his legacy and make the rest of the haters keep hating.
Based on management's previous commentary, results for the fiscal first quarter could also come in soft. Though the decision apparently isn't final, Musk predicted that the vehicle would be in volume production by late 2020.
Musk said Tesla is also focused heavily on improving service operations in North America after reports of poor customer service and fix delays.
To post a profit, Tesla will have to "successfully execute on many fronts including handling logistics and delivery challenges in Europe and China", the company said.
U.S. talking to Venezuela's Maduro regime over embassy: envoy
He ordered the creation of 50,000 popular defense units, community groups charged with the "integral defense of the fatherland". The average Venezuelan lost 24 pounds in 2017 and hundreds of thousands of children are at risk of death from malnutrition .
- North Korea condemns denuclearization approach
- Health Officials Scramble To Contain Measles Outbreak
- Ronda Rousey flustered by booing WWE 'Raw' crowd
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Claims Her Infamous Comments About Israel, Palestine Were 'Doctored'
- Brexit: Tory MPs at odds over competing ‘Super Tuesday’ amendments
- Temperature breaks record in northern IL
- Tiger Woods' challenge stalls with third-round 71 at Torrey Pines
- US May Have Scored An ‘Own Goal’ In Venezuela Oil Sanctions
- Brexit deal not open to renegotiation - European Union spokesman
- China says United States should bear consequences of Venezuela sanctions


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PepsiCo Realizes 28% Increase in Efficiency of Ad Campaign Powered By Blockchain
A blockchain-based trial ad campaign for PepsiCo resulted in a 28% increase in effectiveness. Marketing services agency Mindshare began collaborating on Project Proton with Singapore’s government blockchain Zilliqa in 2017. The project seeks at making digital ads give more value for money.
The company announced an effectiveness increase of 28% in March trials for PepsiCo advertisements displayed in Asia Pacific.
The advantage was seen in overall costs for visible impressions. In digital publicity, only a tiny percentage of the cash advertisers spend goes into the hands of publishers.
Between the advertiser and the editor, there are third-parties at each level taking a pie in expenditure. Plus an important percentage of ad spending goes down the drain due to frauds such as the use of bots.
Therefore, the objective is to guarantee spending on provable advertisements. The project utilizes smart contracts and a native NAT (Native Alliance Token) token. The only advertisements paid for are those considered visible, brand-safe and devoid of ad fraud. It allows transparency thereby making apparent how much funds go to each group.
Furthermore, encryption is being used to allow privacy, allowing almost every party to display information only according to their position.
Marketing firm Mindshare said the test was portion of Project Proton, which utilizes smart contracts to guarantee companies only pay for real, brand-safe impressions devoid of cheating.
The WPP-owned network stated that the expense for viewable impressions was 28% higher relative to an advertisement campaign that was carried out without smart contracts.
The trial occurred this March in the Asia-Pacific region. The stakeholders believe such innovation can make publicity expenditures could increase further and boost general transparency. PepsiCo claims it is now contemplating further pilot initiatives to assess the general effect of blockchain innovation.
As per the press release, the smart contracts were developed on a blockchain owned by Zilliqa Research, a Singapore-based tech firm. In November 2017, Mindshare and Zilliqa forged a collaboration to start trialing blockchain systems Zilliqa is a government blockchain that, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, utilizes proof of work to prevent spam.
Other project members include digital media purchasing platform Mediamath which delivers 250 billion ad views a day and marketing firm Rubicon Project.
Farida Shakhshir, Director of Consumer Engagement for PepsiCo AMENA commented that “the results are encouraging, and we plan to run a few more campaigns under different conditions to verify more hypotheses and measure overall impact.”
Last month, Brave, which offer namesake decentralized browser, revealed a unique alternative that enables its consumers to receive money for viewing ads. Besides encouraging customers, the firm said the technique decreases cheating and minimizes advertisers ‘ expenses.
There are several blockchain advertising activities around the world. In the previous quarter, Lucidity conducted an IAB pilot revealing 48% of useless clicks. Mediaocean launched a blockchain platform in partnership with IBM and enrolled Kellogg, Kimberly-Clark, Pfizer and Unilever.
Kiip launched the first blockchain-based mobile advertising campaign for AB InBev which is the owner of the Budweiser beer brand. Some initiatives are subset of Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) campaigns.


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US: Fisker keeping production site secret for now
Fisker Automotive will soon announce the US site where it plans to build a US$48,000 family plug-in electric hybrid car, chief executive Henrik Fisker has said.
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A4ID partners win case against the Russian government for the failure to provide access to justice to survivors of domestic violence.
During September 2019, A4ID launched the first of a regular series of Global Development Legal Clinics* in partnership with Latham & Watkins LLP.
A4ID recently held two legal trainings on compliance issues that are currently very pertinent to the development sector: ‘Bribery and Corruption’ and ‘Sanctions, Risks and Compliance for NGOs’.
A4ID partners develop a legal directive on gender impact assessments for West Africa’s energy sector.
A4ID partners gather evidence to advocate gender-responsive penal reform.
A4ID partners work to ensure continued access to education for Ethiopian girls
A4ID has supported Doctors of the World UK to access legal assistance to ensure the necessary documentation is in place for their new online platform designed to help doctors provide vulnerable patients with the specialist care they require.
Firm contact: Sophie Orr and Patrick Rickerfor
Read the inspiring story of MAKOKO. MAKOKO is an authentically sourced, ethically produced, African-inspired women’s fashion collection. It creates opportunities for the African diaspora in the fashion industry by training unemployed Ghanaian women in fashion production, and introducing the garments they produce to the Western market.
When the Eleos Foundation needed legal support for a project providing low-cost “tele-medicine” services in India, A4ID was able to provide help through Dechert, one of our Legal Partners.


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Universal's ‘Spy Game' Takes ‘Day' as Rentals Leap Again18 Apr, 2002 By: Melinda Saccone
New releases and the strong rental legs of March hits helped push weekly rental spending to its highest level so far this year.
Consumer spending at the rental counter registered $253.1 million for the week ended April 14 — up 5.4 percent from the previous week and up a startling 45.9 percent from the comparable period in 2000.
The week's top five rentals generated an impressive 72.2 percent more revenue at the rental counter than their 2000 counterparts, despite earning 21.8 percent less at the box office prior to their release on video.
Two new releases claimed spots among the top five rentals for the week. Universal Studios Home Video's Spy Game seized top billing from Warner Home Video's Training Day, which had held the spot since its release March 19. Spy Game earned $13.5 million in combined VHS and DVD rental revenue in its first five days of release, making it the fifth-biggest weekly video debut so far this year.
Training Day earned an additional $12.6 million for the week, bringing its cumulative rental take to $58.9 million in just four weeks of release. The title was the top VHS seller for the second consecutive week, according to VideoScan First Alert data, but dropped to No. 4 on the DVD sellers chart as Universal's Spy Game captured that No. 1 spot as well.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment's Serendipity debuted at No. 3 on the top rentals' chart, earning $11.6 million in its first five days of release. Retailers stocked deep on the $50.3 million box office romance, with Blockbuster guaranteeing the rental on both VHS and DVD.
Video Store Magazine market research estimates that, in Blockbuster stores, Hollywood stores, and independent stores with more than 10,000 units in rental inventory, nearly 40 percent of the available copies of Serendipity carried for rent were stocked in the DVD format.
Other new releases on the top rentals chart were Universal's Mulholland Drive (No.13, $3.33 million) and The Skulls II (No. 31, $940,000), Buena Vista's High Heels and Low Lifes (No. 40, $590,000) and MGM Home Entertainment's No Man's Land (No. 41, $560,000).
So far this year, consumers have spent $3.05 billion on VHS and DVD rentals — up 11.5 percent from the comparable period in 2000.


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The morning meal has long been a key element of some limited-service restaurants, and it’s no surprise that the number of operators entering this daypart continues to grow, as owners look to boost their revenues and build customer loyalty.
Barney Wolf is an Ohio-based freelancer for QSR magazine.
During any given year, a restaurant company that records a 50 percent increase in its stock price could expect to crow pretty loudly about the accomplishment. But even that type of gain wasn’t good enough to crack the top 10 among publicly held limited-service restaurant operators in 2013, as equities market soared.
“It’s been a very good year for the market and for many restaurant companies,” says R.J. Hottovy, a dining industry analyst at Chicago’s investment firm Morningstar. “There were some pockets of weakness, but most restaurant [stock] values have had good gains.”
There is always excitement at the beginning of a new year, with renewed hopes of health, wealth, and happiness. It’s no different in the limited-service industry, where brands are studying up on potential trends for the next 12 months to ensure a prosperous 2014.
For now, operators are feeling cautiously optimistic about the next year. The National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) most recent Restaurant Performance Index, a measure that tracks the industry’s health and outlook, was on the upswing after a late-2013 swoon.
Despite their name, french fries are as American as the 4th of July and are a mainstay in the quick-service universe. Fries are the most popular side item at U.S. limited-service eateries, outpacing others by a wide margin, according to various menu-monitoring reports.
But other fried sides are now showing more growth potential than french fries. As consumers look to experience new flavors and seek a healthy halo from vegetable consumption, restaurateurs are providing more fried-side options.
Despite a year filled with turmoil in Washington, the limited-service restaurant industry showed moderate growth and promise in 2013, thanks in part to creative new ideas and products, plus another good gain from fast-casual units.
With issues such as sequestration, a payroll tax increase, the government shutdown, and the Affordable Care Act hanging over the industry, it’s perhaps not surprising that gains have only been nominal, despite employment increases and an improving economy.
Beef, pork, poultry, and seafood may be the staples of the limited-service restaurant industry, but non-meat items aren’t taking a back seat on the menu these days. Although vegetarians make up a small percentage of the American dining population, an increasing number of consumers are deciding to eat less meat.
“Ten years ago, it might have seemed like a fad, with just a small population, but it’s been constantly increasing,” says Jesse Gideon, corporate chef and chief operating officer for Fresh To Order, a 10-unit fast-casual chain based in Atlanta.
Baked desserts aren’t always at the forefront of customers’ dining decisions, but that doesn’t mean they need to be an afterthought. Cookies, cakes, pies, and other sweets have made their way onto menus of all types of limited-service restaurants, giving operators additional sales opportunities during lunch, dinner, and, increasingly, snacking periods.
As fast-casual pizza concepts make their mark across America, one of the nation’s top 10 pizza chains is joining the growing movement.
Sbarro will open its first Pizza Cucinova restaurant next week in a strip at Columbus, Ohio’s popular shopping center, Easton. The concept’s second and third units will open in early 2014 near downtown Columbus and in Cincinnati, respectively.
Sustainable practices are all the rage across the restaurant industry these days.
The expansive show floors at the National Restaurant Association’s annual trade show in May confirmed that the momentum behind these initiatives isn’t waning. From tableware and takeout containers to faucets, lighting, and cleaning products, green was the word. That also extends to the proteins most quick-service and fast-casual restaurants use as their menuboard centerpieces.
Although most restaurants will change ingredients in an entrée to meet a guest’s request, a growing number of pizza and ethnic eateries are letting diners build their own menu items from scratch.
“It’s a system that delicatessens and street-food vendors worldwide have used for years. For many consumers, the concept of having restaurant staff assemble fresh, high-quality food in front of you to your design has great appeal,” says Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Chicago-based market research firm Technomic Inc.


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Torque News reported on October 18, the Subaru plant closure in Gunma Japan was due to a typhoon that hit Japan last week. The good news is, Subaru Corporation announced the plant has now resumed production of the new 2020 Forester SUV, Crosstrek compact SUV, sport-tuned WRX, performance-tuned WRX STI, and BRZ sports coupe.
The typhoon did not hit the plant but affected some of the Japanese automaker’s key suppliers. The plant was shut down on October 16 and reopened Friday, October 25 according to an announcement from Subaru. The main plant and Yajima plant are finished vehicle plants, and the Oizumi plant is an engine and transmission plant. The impact on the company's consolidated financial results is currently under scrutiny.
2020 Subaru Forester
The bad news is, the plant shut down could have an immediate impact on U.S. customers who could see delays on shipments of the 2020 Subaru Forester, 2020 Crosstrek, 2020 WRX and WRX STI, and BRZ sports coupe. The 2020 Subaru Outback SUV/Crossover, 2020 Ascent family hauler, 2020 Impreza compact sedan and 5-Door, and 2020 Legacy sedan are all made in the U.S. and will not be affected.
Subaru was already in short supply of Forester and many Crosstrek models because of the model change from 2019 models year vehicles to the new 2020 models. Customers who are waiting for the new models will see some delays in October and into November.
2020 Subaru Crosstrek
Torque News spoke with a larger Subaru dealer near Denver, Colorado and they told us they have an “acceptable” inventory of new 2020 Forester models, and the Subaru Crosstrek inventory is dwindling as the 2020 models have not arrived yet, and 2019 models are almost gone.
Subaru produces around 2500 vehicles per day at the main Gunma plant with a possible loss of 11,250 units because of the shutdown. If you can find a new 2020 Forester, Subaru has special offers with 2.9 percent financing or leasing offers of $279 per month through October 31, 2019. Torque News could not find any special offers on 2020 Subaru Crosstrek models.
You Might Also Like: The 2020 Subaru Crosstrek Gets A Long List Of Upgrades, Pricing, And Full Details
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Photo credit: Subaru USA, Torque News


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Google Now Personalizes Everyone's Search Results
by Danny Sullivan. Search Engine Land, December 4, 2009. "Beginning today, Google will now personalize the search results of anyone who uses its search engine, regardless of whether they’ve opted-in to a previously existing personalization feature. Searchers will have the ability to opt-out completely, and there are various protections designed to safeguard privacy. However, being opt-out rather than opt-in will likely raise some concerns..."
Further information on Google Now Personalizes Everyone's Search Results
Last updated: 7 December 2009
Google's Personalized Results: The 'New Normal' That Deserves Extraordinary Attention
by Danny Sullivan. Search Engine Land, December 7, 2009. "On Friday afternoon, Google made the biggest change that has ever happened in search engines, and the world largely yawned. Maybe Google timed its announcement that it was personalizing everyone's search results just right, so few would notice. Maybe no one really understood how significant the change was. Whatever the reason, it was a huge development and deserves much more attention than it has received so far... If you want to understand more about the change and how it works, see our Google Now Personalizes Everyone's Search Results story. In this piece, I'm going to cover why this is such a significant change..."
Personalized Search for everyone
Posted by Bryan Horling, Software Engineer and Matthew Kulick, Product Manager. The Official Google Blog, 4 December 2009. "Today we're helping people get better search results by extending Personalized Search to signed-out users worldwide, and in more than forty languages. Now when you search using Google, we will be able to better provide you with the most relevant results possible..."